Fairfax County Youth Survey
The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey. The results of this survey are published each year on https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health-humanservices/fairfax-county-youth-survey and are used by school officials, youth leadership classes, youth-serving county agencies, and local non-profits to determine the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs offered in schools and communities. It is also used to identify changing trends and areas of need. The survey is anonymous and no individual information is reported .
In years past the survey was administered in paper and pencil format. To improve efficiency and streamline the administration process, this year's survey will be administered online. Responses will not be traced back to your child's personal information, linked to a computer, email address, or other electronic identifiers. No personally identifiable information nor IP addresses will be recorded. Survey responses will be stored in a secure server which is compliant with federal data security standards. To protect student's anonymity, the responses will be read and analyzed only by the researchers and summarized in a report with no personal identifiers.
The Fairfax County Youth Survey asks questions about risky behavior, mental health, physical health, and safety. There are questions about behaviors related to alcohol, illegal drugs, or misuse of prescription drugs. Additional questions about depression, student stress, bullying and harassment, and questions about personal health, and for students in eighth, tenth, and twelfth grade only, sexual behavior, will be included in the survey. Students are also asked about specific protective factors concerning health and safety.
You have the right to preview the survey and may deny permission for your child to participate if you desire. If a student is uncomfortable with any question on the survey, the student does not have to answer that question or may elect to discontinue the survey. While it is hoped that as many students as possible will participate, you have the option of completing the attached form if you wish to opt out your child.
The survey will be administered between November 15-30, 2021, during Learning Seminar (3rd period). A copy of the survey will be available to parents and/or guardians on line at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/youth-survey and in the school counseling office of your child's school beginning October 15, 2021.
If you do NOT wish for your child to take part in the survey, please complete the form (FFXYouthSurvey-OptOutSecondary-English_0.pdf) and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 15, 2021. If you have questions about the survey, contact Stefan Mascall, coordinator, Student Safety and Wellness Office, at 571-423-4270.